
News
Electric & Natural Gas Aggregation with NOPEC
We partnered with NOPEC in 2015 on natural gas aggregation. In 2021 we partnered with them on electric aggregation. Previously, FirstEnergy / Ohio Edison / Energy Harbor was our electric aggregation partner.
Why NOPEC? They offer transparency with no-risk terms & conditions & no early termination fees. NOPEC is a non-profit organization who works to guard against unfair charges & policies & invests in member communities.
NOPEC worked closely with the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Office negotiating a settlement with FirstEnergy Ohio utilities due to earnings that exceeded the “significant excessive earnings” test. That resulted in FirstEnergy Ohio agreeing to refund $306 million to its Ohio customers. It is the largest utility refund to customers in Ohio history. Consumers will receive an average of $85.71 in FirstEnergy utility refunds spread out over 4 years. NOPEC also worked with other consumer advocates to reduce a proposed natural gas transmission rate increase by Columbia Gas.
Unlike FirstEnergy, NOPEC is a non-profit organization whose board is composed of members from participating communities. Instead of pocketing profits, they reinvest in their member communities via grant opportunities, Wild Winter Lights at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, & other events. Their two primary grants are the Energized Community & Community Event Sponsorships grants.
Over the years we have used the Community Event Sponsorships grants to support the Grafton Township Fire Department’s pancake breakfasts, dumpster days, & Helping Hands Food Pantry. The Energized Community grant has been used primarily to transition from fluorescent lighting to LED lighting, which is more efficient & economical. It also has been used to insulate the road & maintenance garage.
In an unpredictable energy market, NOPEC is focused on consistently delivering market-competitive rates verses other retail options & price stability to flatten out dramatic price swings & minimize rate volatility for their customers. Additionally, NOPEC offers more pricing options than any other aggregator & the flexibility to move within the NOPEC options without fees or penalties so customers can choose the plan that works for them. For instance, some residents may be more comfortable on the monthly variable rate which is always 6% off Ohio Edison’s “Price to Compare” or $0.02 per mcf off the Columbia Gas rate. Residents can switch easily by calling NOPEC’s customer service line at 855-667-3201. NOPEC’s pricing won't always be the lowest at any given point in time. However, they are committed to delivering savings over time. They strive to deliver competitive pricing that is among the lowest 3% - 5% of current retail market prices as listed on the PUCO’s Apples-to-Apples price comparison website.
If you have any questions, please contact NOPEC’s Customer Care Center at
855-667-3201
Notes:
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Residents can opt out or join at any time without penalty.
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Some residents do not have natural gas service.
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Residents with Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative are outside the service area for electric aggregation as members of cooperatives are not eligible.
Waterways & Cemetery Cleanup
Waterways
Please ensure waterways (e.g., ditches, creeks, etc.) on your property are not blocked by debris (natural or otherwise). It is important that water can flow. Blockages on one property can affect other properties including roads.
Cemetery Cleanup During Mowing Season
During the mowing season, grave decorations that are not affixed to monuments will be removed approximately two weeks after each holiday. This includes but is not limited to plant hooks, solar lights, plastic flowers, etc. An item located next to a head/footstone prevents the mowers from mowing over the stone, leads to weed whacking, & creates extra work. If there are decorations you would like to keep, please pick them up a week after the holiday. Easter decorations will be removed on or before May 15th.
Keep Lorain County Beautiful Day
Keep Lorain County Beautiful Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 21st.
Last year a group of volunteers from Grafton Township focused on the Veterans’ Park & historical building properties. This year we’ll focus on a section of Nesbett Cemetery (clearing grass from headstones, cleaning headstones, etc.). Anyone who is willing & able to help should contact Christie Homer-Miller at 216-440-2616 &/or show up on Saturday, May 21st between 8:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Nesbett Cemetery is located on State Route 57 between Mennell Road & State Route 83.
If you are unable to volunteer for this event, please do your part to clean up & beautify our community.
Dumpster Days 2022
Dumpster days will be held Friday May 13th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
& Saturday May 14th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
It is only for Grafton Township residents.
Construction materials such as concrete, asphalt, bricks, or foundation stones cannot be accepted. Some items (e.g., electronics, fluorescent lights, hazardous materials, paint, etc.) may need to be taken to:
Lorain County Solid Waste Management District’s Collection Center
located at 540 South Abbe Road in Elyria.
They are open Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.,
Wednesdays from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
& Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For more information, please visit their website:
http://www.loraincounty.us/commissioners-departments/solid-waste-management/collection-center
Grafton Township News
January 2022 Edition
Grafton Township News – January 2022 Edition is now available!
Grafton Township friends: Please take a minute to sign up for Lorain County’s Emergency Notification System. Currently all land-lines are loaded, but you can register cell phones, work phones, or other numbers where you might want to receive a notification. You can choose the medium that should be used ( call, text, or SMS) and block any hours when you do not wish to be contacted. You can also choose to receive notifications that are sent to the entire county or pick certain areas only or both. (This may come in handy if you have relatives in other areas of the county).
Meeting on 10/26/21
Grafton Township will hold a public meeting on Tuesday October 26th, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. in the Grafton Township Hall at 17109 State Route 83, Grafton, OH to hear public comments on the proposed amendments to zoning – the definition of NUISANCE. Below is the proposed amendment.
Zoning Nuisance Proposed New Text
Persons wishing to be heard may do so in person, be represented by an agent or submit their comments in writing to 17109 State Route 83, Grafton, OH 44044
Trustee's Meeting
The Board of Trustee’s regular meeting is scheduled for the second Tuesday of the month starting at 7pm at the town hall. Special meetings are held as needed.
Grafton Township News – March/April 2021 Edition
Grants
A $500 event sponsorship grant from NOPEC was used for the fire department pancake breakfasts.
We received approval for a $3,432 energized community grant from NOPEC. We plan to use the funds to complete the transition of fluorescent lighting to LED that started a few years ago & to insulate the road department office.
Hall Rentals
Our town hall is available to be rented. Please visit this link for information & photographs. For additional information, please call Bob Richards at 440-387-2498.
Historical Buildings
Foundation work recently was done to the historic one-room schoolhouse. It was built in 1883. Exterior work is next.
Pride Day
Lorain County Community Pride Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 15th. We encourage everyone to do their part to clean up & beautify our community. Anyone wanting to help clean up township property (e.g., park, cemetery, town hall / fire station, etc.) should contact Christie Homer-Miller at 440-865-7513.
Safety
We are accepting applications for volunteer fire & EMS personnel. Please call Chief Richards at 440-387-2498 to apply.
Reflective address numbers are available to township residents for properties located in the township. The reflective numbers should be placed horizontally on top of mailbox posts. If they are placed lower, snow or landscaping might cover the numbers. Let’s make sure the fire department can easily find you if they are needed. For more information, please call the fire department at 440-926-2166.
Trees & landscaping located too close to driveways could delay or prevent fire equipment from reaching your structure(s). Please trim tree limbs & landscaping as needed.
Ohio Revised Code allows minimal situations where open burning is legal. The burning of building materials, furnishings, garbage, plastics, or food containers are just a few of a large list of items that are never legal to burn. The burning of any of these items is also illegal if burned in barrels, fireplaces, or outdoor boilers. In response to an increase in residents who are burning on their property, the fire department will begin greater enforcement of the open burning laws. Open burning violations can result in penalties. For more information, please call the fire department at 440-926-2166.
Seasonal Worker Needed
We are accepting applications for the seasonal/part-time position of Road Department Assistant – Mowing. This position will mow in the spring, summer, & fall. The ideal candidate must pass a background check, a pre-employment physical, & a drug screening. Hours will vary based on the weather & needs. The application form & job description are available on the home page of our website, GraftonTwp.us. Please mail your completed application & letter of interest to the Grafton Township Trustees at 17109 Avon Belden Road, Grafton OH 44044.
Trash / Recycling
Trash & recycle containers should be placed at the street as late as possible the night before the scheduled pickup & removed as early as possible after they are emptied. This is especially important during the winter when snowplowing occurs. In addition to roadside recycling, containers are located at the township property for paper & cardboard.
Dumpster days are scheduled to be held Friday May 7th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. & Saturday May 8th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. However, there is no need to wait for dumpster days to dispose of bulk items. If you have bulk trash items that need to be picked up, please call Rumpke at 800-828-8171 so they can plan accordingly & so they can provide you with their requirements.
We recently were asked if televisions could be placed at the street with the trash & recycle containers. Our Rumpke representative advised us that televisions are handled like other bulk items. However, they should not weigh more than 50 pounds.
Some items that Rumpke cannot pick up may need to be taken to the Lorain County Solid Waste Management District’s Collection Center located at 540 South Abbe Road in Elyria. They are open Wednesdays from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. & Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, please visit their website:
loraincounty.us/commissioners-departments/solid-waste-management/collection-center
The county tire trailer is open Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The county will hold an agricultural tire collection day on Thursday, September 9th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It will be at the Collection Center on Abbe Road. Preregistration is needed by Thursday, September 2nd. For more information or to register, please call 440-328-2368.
Zoning
Additional team members are needed for the Zoning Commission. They meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. If you would like more information &/or are interested in becoming a member or alternate, please contact Scott Beriswill at 440-926-3312.
An alternate is needed for the Board of Zoning Appeals. They meet at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month when needed. If you would like more information &/or are interested in becoming an alternate, please contact Fred Giese at 440-926-3246.
Grafton Township Fire Department receives America’s Farmers Grow Communities Grant
March 29, 2017
COUNTY Farmer directs america’s farmers grow communities donation to Grafton Township Volunteer Fire Department Farmers Make a Difference in Rural Communities by Directing Donations from Monsanto Fund’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities Program to Local Nonprofit Organizations The America’s Farmers Grow Communities program will provide more than $3 million in … READ MORE
Get to know your Fiscal Officer
June 14, 2015
Amy Richards Fiscal Officer since 4/1/2012 Contact Information: Cell phone: 440-315-7365 Email: amymarie629@yahoo.com Education: University of Akron – graduated with a B.S. in Accounting, 2001 Midview High School – graduated in 1996 Family: Married to Bob since 2008 Community Involvement: Treasurer for Belden United Methodist Church Vice President, Board of … READ MORE